Even as the Durga Puja festival ended two days ago, the festivities continue for puja committees in Kolkata. Reason: Investments made in pandal designs are reaping dividends with several buyers queuing up to take home parts of the pandal, while the more ambitious ones are even bidding for the pandals in entirety.

The Suruchi Sangha of New Alipore that depicted a tribal village of Jharkand has been approached by the Jharkhand government who want to make the design a part of their state’s cultural centre. “We were contacted by the Jharkhand government two days ago. We have decided not to charge them, for it as it is a gift from us,” said Arup Biswas, president of the Puja committee.

They will auction the painting panels that adorned the interiors of the pandal and hope to raise at least Rs 3 to 4 lakh. “Last year, we raised around Rs 3 lakh through the auction. The amount collected is donated to the Bharat Sevashram,” said Biswas.

Another pandal that has received offers from interested visitors is the Badamtala Ashar Sangha, which had its pandal designed in the form of a bird’s nest.

“It is not possible to sell off the nest as it’s made of perishable goods. We received an offer from a few Englishmen who visited the pandal during the Pujas. They wanted to buy the life-size flora and fauna we had put in place outside the pandal,” said Ujjal Chakrabarty, art director of the pandal. Of the 20 such flowers and leaves made of burnt clay, four have already been sold.

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